Category: What da f***!!

SYDNEY, Australia (12 Feb 2006) — A man who died cleaning the hull of his boat may have become distressed after losing a fin, police said yesterday.

The man, in his early 50s, was using scuba gear while cleaning the underside of his boat, which was moored in the Parramatta River at Kissing Point Bay, near Gladesville in Sydney.

It is understood the man and a male friend boarded the moored vessel – an old fishing trawler which had been converted to a pleasure cruiser – yesterday morning with the intention of cleaning the hull.

He was last seen in the water at 11.30am (AEDT).

A short time later, his friend became concerned when he could no longer see the diver or any air bubbles indicating his location.

Using the boat’s radio, he called for help. A NSW Maritime Services vessel was first on the scene.

Police divers arrived a few minutes later and quickly located the man at the bottom of the bay and brought him to the surface about 1.15pm.

A Water Police spokesman said last night the man, who had not been formally identified, still had air in his tank when he was found.

“The biggest clue is that he lost a fin so he may have got himself into difficulty and was unable to return to the surface,” the spokesman said.

The man’s body was taken to the Water Police station before being transported to Glebe morgue late yesterday afternoon.

A post-mortem examination would determine whether he suffered a medical condition such as a heart attack or drowned in the accident, police said.

His friend would give a statement to police and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

The accident occurred about 200m from Putney Park, where dozens of families were enjoying a sweltering Sunday afternoon.

Unaware of the tragedy, they enjoyed picnics and barbecues around a children’s play area and paddling pool.

A number of boats moored nearby appeared unattended as police examined the dead man’s boat and the surrounding area.

The area is a popular one for recreational boating and fishing.

Police had not released the dead man’s name late yesterday as relatives had not identified his body.